Eagle Talon Test & Tune

Join me on Facebook! / tomsturbogarage
In this episode, we take my 1991 Eagle Talon AWD Turbo to Knoxville Dragstrip to do some shakedown runs with the new turbo setup.
Knoxville Dragstrip is 890 feet above sea level. The air temperature during these runs was 65 degrees and the Density Altitude was 1,814 feet above sea level. For all three runs the boost was set at 27 psi and a 50/50 mix of 93 octane pump gas and 110 octane race gas was used. The car's race weight was approximately 3,390 pounds with driver.
The best time/MPH of the night was:
60 ft: 2.091
ET: 7.683
MPH: 106.159
You can see a complete modification list and many more photos and details at talon.turbomira...
Thanks for watching!
-Tom
Disclaimer
The content provided in this video is for informational use only. Video content is provided at the viewers own risk and the viewer will not hold the parties involved in creating, producing or delivering this information liable for any loss, injury, claim, liability, or damage of any kind resulting in any way from any errors in or omissions from the information. Thanks for understanding.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

This sounds fantastic and I appreciate the first-hand feedback on the slicks! Thanks also for the kind words, and I'm glad you enjoy the videos. Good luck!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

I've been getting lots of emails asking for this sort of thing, but this is just my hobby. I think anyone can tune their car if you have the right tools and knowledge. The good news is that the tools are affordable (like ECMLink) and the knowledge is all accessible online (like the ECMTuning Wiki and forums). I remember, before the internet, when this sort of knowledge was not widely available. This is the best time to be a car guy. Good luck man!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hey man! Here's what I'd do: start by racing/volunteering in your local autocross club, or if you're into drag racing, go to the local track and race in the sportsman events. Either way, you can race any car in either event. Next, show up at a real pro race team shop every day. Work for free, sweep floors, whatever it takes to show them you have real desire. You may have to live on ramen noodles, but this type of honest determination shows more than any resume. Good luck to you!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Cool deal and thank you for the kind words! I'm glad you like the videos.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hi there curo! Thank you for the kind words and support! I understand what you're saying- there's some crazy stuff on YT and I have had similar experiences where I subscribed and started seeing all sorts of wacky videos in my feed. Happy New Year to you!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man! Have fun with your Talon, more power doesn't always mean more fun. A well tuned DSM with a 16G is a very powerful, responsive and balanced car!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hey there! The transmission was the stock 1989 4G61t KM210 transmission. I also used a F5M33 DSM transmission, but is geared differently and I switched back to the KM210 for the better (IMO) gearing. Back then, it probably made around 260-300 to the wheels. Later on it made well over 450 and was quite the scary beast.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man! No, the transmission is a ShepTrans Stage 3. There is no way you can do this stuff on a stock transmission (for very long anyway). The clutch is an ACT 2600 with an ACT streetlite flywheel. Prop shaft is stock- was refreshed a few years ago. Full mod list, more info is on my website if needed.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you! The transmission isn't a problem, it's fully built and handles the high rpm shifts with ease. Traction is the biggest issue and weight isn't helping either!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you sir, I appreciate the kind words and glad you enjoy them!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks hobbes, I appreciate the support and keep your eyes open for that future DSM, you never know when one might pop up!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video and will do.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man! Well you never know how much folks know about this stuff from these short KZbin comments. Glad to hear you are already good at this stuff. When it comes to cams or other mods, you just want to keep your ideal A/F ratio while maximizing timing throughout the RPM range. Have a good one!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Haha, I know! I had plans to go to the track for a long time. It rained for three Fridays straight, then I had a bunch of crazy work stuff, then sick kids, etc. etc. After how well the car ran, I can't wait until spring!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Definitely. I sacrificed response and ultimate flow with this cast manifold, but I wanted to never think or worry about it cracking. That trade off was worth it in my opinion. A 2.3 would definitely add responsiveness, but I'm very happy with it now. I am fully lifting between shifts and it still comes back on boost quickly.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man! I'm glad you liked it. I'll post up on my facebook page when I'm going to Bristol. I believe their "street fight" series starts back up in March/April.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks Matt! I miss it too, it's easily one of the best tracks in the country and they prep the heck out of it. Hope you're having fun in Germany!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you man, I appreciate the support! Yes, I've spent many years working on my back under a carport getting eaten by fire ants. A clean, organized workspace makes jobs easier.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man, I appreciate the support!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks Victor! I'll likely be getting M&H 235/60/15s. They are a soft, bias ply street tire that many folks have had good luck with.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks RP! Glad you liked it!

[@dexterholland04]

Tom. you're going to LOVE those M&H DOT slicks. I've put over 40 passes on mine and I like them more each time I make a pass on them. If you really want to scare yourself: grab those tires, set your 2-step to 6750-7000 in Link, pre-load the car using the e-brake, and aggressively let the clutch the rest of the way out. 106 in the 1/8th is pretty darn good for running 7.60's. With some more seat time, 106 should get you in the low 7's/high 6's in the 1/8th. Thanks for the vids, I enjoy them!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

I'm not sure, hopefully this spring. The 1/4 mile track is pretty far away and has a limited schedule. Thanks and I'll keep ya posted!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks hobbes I appreciate it! I just think FB is better for conversations, sharing stuff, etc. KZbin is mainly a one-way kind of thing. Have a good one man!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man! Yes, the 90s were prime time for badge engineering.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hee hee! I knew I would catch heck for that. It is conservative when you consider this turbo's compressor map and what boost levels make the most power. We'll really be cranking when we get into the mid/high 30s!

[@dtrain8335]

DSM love! I've been wrenching on these things for over a decade. I still get all giggity when I see the face on that kid or old man driving the Mustang or Corvette when I blow their doors off. That will never get old in my book lol.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you! I am running an ACT 2600 clutch kit and an ACT Streetlite flywheel.

[@ajd2003]

I had two 1990 awd talons over the course of 9 years from 1995 to 2004, had a red one first, sold it when it hit 190000 miles and bought a one owner silver one with 95000. I used to solo cross the red one and won a bunch of trophies with that one. It was mostly stock except for coilovers and poly suspension bushings. The silver one I got later had a big 16g, 550 cc injectors, epromed computer with built in launch control, 2.5" down pipe with custom 2.5 inch exhaust into a 3 inch muffler. I used to drag race this one, it would run 1.7 60ft times launching it at 5000 rpms with me shifting into 2nd gear almost immediately. The car would run 8:50s on 17lbs of boost and 8:20s on 21lbs with 100 octane race gas. I raced a bunch of street v8 cars and beat them out of the hole if they didn't have slicks. Excellent cars as far as performance on the cheap.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Haha, thank you sir! I have some improvements that I hope to make to the Grand National over the winter, so we'll definitely have some videos of it coming up.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Will do man, good luck with your build!

[@dreams2memories]

Definitely keep the vids coming. People like me are learning more from you and other peoples experiences with Talons. Currently don't have one, but I am building a 4g63 6 bolt.

[@shaneduncan2996]

What a classic turbo Tom video. This Talon is an animal!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Happy Holidays to you RP! Sounds like Christmas may be coming early for you this year! Good luck and let me know how it goes! Take care my friend.

[@btaylor359]

I've been following Tom for a few months now and this is an incredible surprise to learn how close you are. I'm not sure what remains of the Knoxville drag strip, but Knoxville is my home. I hope to see you around!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

btaylor359 Hi there and I hope to see you around sometime too! Knoxville Dragstrip is alive and well thanks to great owners who continue to make improvements and schedule great events.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks! I've never dyno tested the car, but based on the weight and 1/8 mile trap speed, it's making somewhere in the 600hp range at the wheels. Haven't run the 1/4 mile with this setup yet.

[@buaan]

Great series! I used to love going to the strip, I once got a 14sec 1/4 in my CRX siR with my B16A/B NA build. I was so chuffed that day!

[@voolvr6]

Just found your videos and watched them all today. Your garage is awesome and its amazing how much easier tasks are done when your work area is as clean and clutter free as yours. I too used to own a 90 Talon TSi AWD, and look forward to seeing some full passes of that beast of a car.

[@94EglVisionTSI]

Beastly DSM, First video I saw was the 0-130 run you did and I was impressed then. So i can imagine how quick it is not.

[@BerttPal]

I just bought a cammed 1GB Talon TSi. Your in inspiration to running a bigger turbo and 20lbs boost! You have a new subscriber!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks Berttini and good luck with your Talon!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

That's true and it's much easier said than done. Maybe I'm just lazy and like the "set it and forget it" aspect of a good old manual boost controller. You are right though, most really fast cars on radials are using a progressive boost control of some sort.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man! As for the 27psi, it's conservative when speaking of where this turbo's sweet spot is, which is in the 30-40psi range.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Haha, thanks Sam. It is conservative relative to this turbo. This thing hits it's stride in the 35psi and up territory.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

The best thing on a small turbo evo based on what I've seen from a friend of mine is a two step and LOTS of practice and possibly a new clutch.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you for saying that! Enjoy your Turbo Buick, I love mine too!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man! Heck, I'm amazed that I have this many. I started with about 30 subscribers before I started making these videos.

[@DerpyTuesday]

Nice talon. I just got a 94 Dodge Stealth R/T last week. I'm a huge fan of re-badged cars.

[@AlexGtheDon]

I have to say that I have been following you since I stumbled on to the 0-130 vid of the Talon. God I miss my 91 tsi. You sir make me think of maybe going out and finding one again one day. Like you I used to always read the car mag's and DSM's were always my fav, and in 2000 I got ahold of my 91 Silver/Black Tsi. Unfortunately I no longer have it but it was good times when I drove it. (Not stock either). I enjoy your video's and look forward to seeing the Talon @ Bristol!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Yes, I'll be trying the launch control with the stickier tires. I have a pretty good suspension, but I need to play with some of the settings now that we're making more power.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Short answer- It's just extra "headroom" for my tune. Long answer- I run a pretty aggressive timing curve and if I had turned up the boost (as I planned to do before encountering that wheelspin) it would've allowed me to do so without completely re-thinking my timing map.

[@856Dropout]

2001. Ole Cleeter was itching his diaper and Turbo Tom was rippin 12's in a turbo mirage at the pre- Freedom Factory compound. Cool as hell.

[@NikilRaja]

Man I miss my dsm… 1991 talon with a 16g turbo… the 90s rocked

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man! If folks would be interested in that it would be easy enough to do I'm sure. Have a good one!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you and the auto conversion sounds like fun! Good luck with your car too!

[@Samuwill78]

I love the "running a conservative 27 lbs of boost" at 4:18. that is awesome.

[@ernestopiris-grau1383]

love your videos. You are so focus on small details that most people don't care. good job!!!

[@suprafahrer6453]

Dang Tom the Talon sounds great! I grew up near Bradenton Dragway just across the bay in Largo. I miss that track. Not too many drag strips in Germany.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man. Getting the 60 foot time down into the 1.6 range and more aggressive shifting should get the car deep into the 10s. It's definitely making the power, just have to drive it in a more hateful fashion. :-)

[@TomsTurboGarage]

You're welcome my friend!

[@BobbyTucker]

Looks like that made a heck of a difference in performance Tom! I'm thinking of putting a turbo charger on my 02' Suburban, it's only a 5.3L 4X4 but it gets things done.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks Bobby, that would be a great setup!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

You're welcome! Go for it man.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

They are out there, it just takes tons of patience to find one.

[@BobbyTucker]

I used to race there at Bristol and in Memphis, when i lived there. I friend of mine and i raced 500 kawasaki's back in 70 & 71. I like to think we were the one's who pioneered the wheelie bars on bikes, we needed them with the front end off the ground through most of the quarter. lol.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Sounds awesome Bobby, Bristol is a beautiful track and racing bikes back then (without wheelie bars especially) was hairy I'm sure!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

I've seen it more than a couple times! Which is why I've always just slipped it out of the hole. With a bigger turbo though, I think it's required for any sort of consistency.

[@roberttaylor3890]

Dude! Thanks for bringing back some memories! I had a '92 Plymouth Laser AWD Turbo. Great and fun car! Keep up the great work!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks Robert, glad I could help!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you, I think so too!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Haha, thanks man! Actually, this turbo doesn't start to really sing until the mid to high 30s, or what I like to call "reasonable boost". :-)

[@kc550]

Best stuff on youtube! Keep it up, consistency is appreciated by all!

[@lgz2006]

Your video's content about yours personal information was same as mine, I, too love turbocharged cars, cars with sleeper aspects and keeping the exterior intact and clean stock.😄

[@curo72]

You know Tom, I've been real foolish in my early time on youtube. I would view just about anything, and subscribe so readily, not realising what kind of a commitment a subscription is. I've since matured though. I hesitate before I subscribe. I think to myself "Am I ready to join this person through whatever trials they have in their youtube life?" I feel like I can take the next step with you Tom. I just want you to know that whatever you post, I'll watch, and maybe like. Tom, I've subscribed.

[@92eclipsegsx]

I'm jealous of your garage, sir!!!! Nice work! Car is a monster!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you sir, I appreciate that. I do need to drive it more aggressively too. I've always been easier on this car for some reason. I honestly think it's old age prudence creeping in. I was MUCH harder on cars back in the day. :-)

[@puretrash7752]

Good god that car sounds ANGRY love the videos Tom!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Haha, it's all in perspective I suppose. For this turbo, 35 and just north of that is where it'll likely be flowing the most air efficiently. Regarding the traction, I agree that too much weight transfer can be a bad thing. I've got progress springs and KYB AGX shocks, I've tried to firm them up but it just makes the car bouncy at launch. I'll have to play around with them some more.

[@lowlife_gaming_yt6164]

I live in Knoxville and have a 2g gst that I’ve been working on for years. Would love 2 see ya at Knox dragway!! Love the car.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks and have fun with your Laser!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Yes, excellent point and very true.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

I will definitely use the 2 step to build boost (and avoid bogging off the line) but I'm not sure about NLTS- I tried it and wasn't terribly thrilled by it.

[@justinmcclung7555]

I used to race this all the time with my GSR and S10. Had no Idea you lived so close XD.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hey Justin, good to hear man and yeah, I hardly every get out to the track anymore. :-/

[@justinmcclung7555]

Nor do I, family life and such tends to take up most of my time. Maybe sometime when we can find time between family time and other things we can get some friends together and go fast! Thanks for returning the comment btw.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Could be lots of things. With an issue like this, you just have to do process of elimination. Check sensors, throttle cable, throttle body, vacuum leaks, timing, etc.

[@gradertfamilymakes]

Congrats on the progress and Welcome to DSMTuners. I know it's a bit late but whatever. Looking forward to your Bristol runs next racing season. Hopefully you have something planned for the winter... Maybe E85? It's a whole other world on the stuff. And it smells pleasant too.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

I like the idea of a staging brake and think I'd really enjoy using it. Heck if I would've gone just a few tenths faster I would've been kicked out of this track for not having a roll cage. I'm not sure if I want to take this car to that next level though, since I rarely race it.

[@guillaumechauvet]

great video, good to see the talon on the strip. it seems right now that u have a great engine. now time ur limited by your transmission, suspension, tyres and weight.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks Trevor!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks man! I don't have any spares at the moment but I would watch out for Forced Performance's posts on the DSM Forum vendor specials section. I'm sure they'll have a killer tax return deals! See ya.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

No not stock internals. The motor was installed years before I started these videos. Check my Talon website for more info about the engine.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Hi there and thank you!

[@TomsTurboGarage]

You just have to find the right suspension balance when dealing with a relatively heavy, small engined, high powered all wheel drive car. Too stiff breaks axles and other drivetrain components while too soft causes traction loss. I believe I have a conservative setup now thats great for the street while saving parts at the track. It definitely sacrifices good 60 foot times though.

[@ZW99GT]

I think that's my old car at 1:05 at 411! haha. Great vidoes man, I'm really enjoying them.

[@geep3431]

a friend of mine use to have 95 talon and 92 eclipse love these cars

[@rpvilleneuve]

AWSOME VID TOM!!!!!!! This is what I've been waiting to see!!! Thanks

[@isthatkool]

I love your talon man! Great job on building it.

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thank you sir!

[@sameerjura6535]

Hi tom im a honda guy and I like ur videos alot keep up the good work buddy

[@RadCarDude]

Good stuff, awesome car and videos. Glad to still see some fire coming from a OG DSM'er and a car that is clean and built right. :)

[@TomsTurboGarage]

Thanks Adam!

[@user-tw6fb6yz4h]

Good work love to see people enjoying life.

[@hallurs]

Quite a body roll also, stiffer suspension should also be on the future mod list. Along with a launch control so you can fine tune the launch perfectly.

[@mranonymous1167]

Where’s this channel been all my life ?!?!?